Holder clip, particularly for a motor vehicle car body

ABSTRACT

A retaining clip, especially for automotive bodies, comprises a foot section and a head part, the head part having a retainer section for at least one structural component to be secured and the foot section being insertable in a final mounting position into an opening in a body part and secured thereto. In this way, even in the case of difficult construction space conditions, i.e., when two components cannot be positioned relative to each other in an accessible position in the final mounting position, the retaining clip pre-mounted on the structural component to be secured has a tensioning element by means of which the retaining clip can be moved from pre-mounting position A via intermediate positions into final mounting position B.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application relates to German Patent Document 102004058615.2, filed Dec. 4, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a retaining clip, especially for automotive bodies, which comprises a foot section and a head part. The head part has a retainer section for at least one structural component which is to be secured, and the foot section is insertable in a final mounting position into an opening in an automotive body part and fastened thereto.

A DE-0S 27 34 753 discloses a retaining clip. That retaining clip is first placed into a final mounting position by inserting the foot section into an opening in the body parts and a structural component which is to be secured is then fastened to the retainer section of the retaining clip. This type of retaining clip can be used if both the body part and the structural component, which is to be secured, are freely accessible.

It is an object of the present invention to develop a retaining clip such that even in difficult construction space conditions, i.e., in a location not accessible in the final mounting position, two structural components can be permanently positioned relative to each other.

According to the present invention, this object can be fulfilled by a retaining clip that includes a foot section, a hear part, and a tensioning element. The foot section is insertable into an opening of an automotive body part and securable to the automotive body part. The head part includes a retainer section for a structural component. The tensioning element (14) may be used to move the retaining clip (10) from a pre-mounting position (A) via intermediate positions into a final mounting position (B).

An advantage achieved with the present invention is that two structural components which are not accessible in the final mounting position can be permanently positioned relative to each other by the retaining clip of the present invention. Due to the arrangement of a tensioning element on the retaining clip, the retaining clip pre-mounted on the structural component can be put into a pre-mounting position with the body part. After the body part is fastened by a pulling movement on the tensioning element, the retaining ring can be relocated into the final mounting position via intermediate positions. The tensioning element is led away from the foot section and has a handle at its free end for simpler activation. For easier passing of the handle through the opening in the body part, the handle is provided with a pointed end. To prevent the body part from becoming detached from the retaining clip in the pre-mounting position, a captivating arrangement is provided next to the handle on the tensioning element formed by two spring hooks in a V-shape arrangement. The V-tip formed by the two hooks points in the direction of the handle.

After the movable body part is positioned and fastened to the adjoining fixed structure, the retaining clip is moved into its final mounting position via intermediate positions by pulling the tensioning band in arrow direction R. After completion of the final mounting of the retaining clip on the body part, the tensioning element can be used as a cable tie according to the present invention. The tensioning element can either remain on the retaining clip or be separated from the retaining clip.

The tensioning element has several stop catch elements arranged at a distance from one another along its length, cylindrical interconnecting webs and at least one keyhole-like opening. After the final mounting, the tensioning element is used as a cable tie, which avoids waste, and the tensioning element is available for a useful second application.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a vertical section through a side door of an automotive body with a door body which can be closed facing the passenger area by a body part, with a structural component which is to be secured being arranged inside the door cavity,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a first form of embodiment of a retaining clip,

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a second form of embodiment of a retaining clip,

FIG. 4 a shows a section as in FIG. 1, the plate-shaped body part being shown in the open position and the retaining clip being pre-mounted on the strucural component which is to be secured,

FIG. 4 b shows a section as in FIG. 4 a, a handle at the end of the retaining clip being captively connected to the body part (pre-mounting position A),

FIG. 4 c shows a section as in FIG. 4 b, the plate-shaped body part being in the closed up position,

FIG. 4 d shows a section as in FIG. 4 c, the pulling of the tensioning band of the retaining clip having been moved into its final mounting position,

FIG. 5 a shows a section as in FIG. 4 d, the projecting area of the tensioning band forming a cable tie connected to the retaining clip,

FIG. 5 b shows a section as in FIG. 5 a, the projecting area of the tensioning band having been separated from the retaining clip and forming a cable tie.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side door 1 of an automotive body. The side door 1 includes a door body 2 and a raisable door window 3. Facing the passenger area 4, the door body 2 has a wide opening 5 which can be closed off by a plate-shaped body part 6.

In this embodiment, the body part 6 is formed by an inside door panel which can be attached to the door body 2 around the edges by detachable fastening elements that are not shown. Inside the door cavity 7 there is a component 8 which is formed by a Bowden pull wire, a cable, tubing or the like. In the embodiment, the component 8 is formed by a Bowden pull wire for a door window lifter.

If unsecured, the component 8 would move during operation of the vehicle and make contact here and there with the inside of the body part 6 (inside door panel), which could cause possibly annoying noises. It is therefore necessary to secure the component 8 permanently to the adjoining structural component at an area 9 (FIG. 1).

Problems with this are that the accessibility of this mounting location is not guaranteed in the case of a ready-mounted inside door panel and that the structural component to be secured is not long enough to be connected with same in the case of an inside door panel not yet mounted.

These problems are solved by special retaining clip 10 which is preferably made of plastic. A special advantage of retaining a clip 10 is that, in addition to a foot section 11, support collar 12 and head part 13, it also has a tensioning element 14, by which the retaining clip 10, which is pre-mounted on the structural component 8, can be moved from a pre-mounting position A (FIG. 4 b) via intermaediate positions into final mounting position B (FIG. 4 d).

To accept at least one structural component 8, the head part 13 is arranged at a free end of the retaining clip 10 and has an undercut retainer section 15, which retainer section 15 is bordered by two side legs 17, 18 and has a access opening 16. According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the access opening 16 is roughly aligned at a right angle to a longitudinal axis CC of retaining clip 10. But the access opening 16 could also extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis CC or it could run at any angle to the longitudinal axis CC. The head part 13 is connected in the area of the leg 18 via a cone section 19 to one side of the adjoining support collar 12. The support collar 12, which has a circular or non-circular form, runs roughly at a right angle to the longitudinal axis CC. The foot section 11 which comprises a conical outer shape and at least two springy spreadable arms 21 for easier introduction into an opening 20 of body part 6 is connected to the side of the support collar 12 facing away from the head part 13.

The stretched-out tensioning element 14 is led away from the foot section 11 of the retaining clip 10 and has a handle 22 at the end. The handle 22 is provided with a pointed end 23 for easier insertion. Adjoining the handle 23, a captivating element 25, which is formed of two hooks 24 arranged in a V-shape, is provided on the tensioning element 14 to allow the tensioning element 14 to be captively connected with the body part 6 in the pre-mounting position A.

The tensioning element 14 can be used as a cable tie after the final mounting of the retaining clip 10 is complete. After completion of the final mounting of the retaining clip 10, the tensioning element 14 can either be separated from the retaining clip 10 or remain on the retaining clip 10. Along its length, the tensioning element 14 has several stop catch elements 27 arranged at a distance from one another, with a cylindrical connecting web 28 extending between each two adjoining stop catch elements 27. The stop catch elements 27 are designed in a spherical or dome shape in the illustrated embodiment. The tensioning element 14 also has at least one keyhole-like opening 29 at its end area which works with one of the stop catch elements 27 and interconnecting web 28.

The structural component 8 is secured in the following manner. As shown in FIG. 4 a, in the case of an unmounted inside door panel (position D), the retaining clip 10 is pre-mounted on the structural component 8 by inserting the structural component 8 through the access opening 16 into the retainer section 15. Both legs 17, 18 enclose the structural component in an inserted position. The pointed end 23 of the handle 22 is then pushed through the opening 20 of the as yet unmounted inside door panel. FIG. 4 b shows this “pre-mounting position A”. The two spring hooks 24 in a V-shape arrangement allow the threading and passing of the tensioning element 14 from the inside out through the opening 20 of the inside door panel. But they spread out to prevent tensioning element 14 from becoming inadvertently detached from the inside door panel.

The inside door panel is then drawn to the door body 2 in the correct position and secured to the door body 2 at the edges (see FIG. 4 c, position E). The foot section 11 of the retaining clip 10 is then moved via intermediate positions toward the inside door panel by pulling the tensioning element 14 in the direction of the passenger area 4 (arrow direction R) until it is held in position on the inside door panel via a clip connection that is not shown. FIG. 4 d identifies this “final mounting position B” of the retaining clip 10.

The tensioning element 14 then projects by a distance F from the inside door panel in the direction of the passenger area 4. The projecting tensioning element 14 can be used as a cable tie 26 by the arrangement of the stop catch elements 27, cylindrical interconnecting webs 28 and at least one keyhole-like opening 29. According to FIG. 5 a, the tensioning element 14 remains on the retaining clip 10, whereas according to FIG. 5 b, it has been mechanically separated from the retaining clip 10 and can be used as the cable tie 26 at another location in the motor vehicle. 

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A retaining clip comprising: a foot section, the foot section being insertable into an opening of an automotive body part and securable to the automotive body part; a head part including a retainer section for a structural component; and a tensioning element (14) by which the retaining clip (10) is moveable from a pre-mounting position via intermediate positions into a final mounting position.
 11. The retaining clip according to claim 10, wherein the tensioning element (14) extends from the foot section (11).
 12. The retaining clip according to claim 11, wherein an end of the tensioning element (14) includes a handle (22).
 13. The retaining clip according to claim 12, wherein the handle (22) has a pointed end (23).
 14. The retaining clip according to claim 13, wherein the handle (22) of the tensioning element (14) comprises a captivating element (25) including two hooks (24) arranged in a V-shape, with which hooks the tensioning element (14) is connectable to the body part (6) in the pre-mounting position.
 15. The retaining clip according to 14, wherein the tensioning element (14) is useable as a cable tie (26) after the retaining clip (10) has been mounted on the body part (6).
 16. The retaining clip according to 15, wherein the tensioning element (14) is severable from the rest of the retaining clip (10) after the retaining clip (10) has been mounted.
 17. The retaining clip according to 16, wherein the tensioning element (14) remains on the retaining clip (10) after the retaining clip (10) has been mounted.
 18. The retaining clip according to 17, wherein the tensioning element (14) includes along its length alternating stop catch elements (27) and interconnecting webs (28), and wherein the stop catch elements (27) and interconnecting webs (28) are engageable with an opening (29) of the tensioning element (14).
 19. The retaining clip according to claim 10, wherein an end of the tensioning element (14) includes a handle (22).
 20. The retaining clip according to claim 19, wherein the handle (22) has a pointed end (23).
 21. The retaining clip according to claim 19, wherein the handle (22) of the tensioning element (14) comprises a captivating element (25) including two hooks (24) arranged in a V-shape, with which hooks the tensioning element (14) is connectable to the body part (6) in the pre-mounting position.
 22. The retaining clip according to 10, wherein the tensioning element (14) is useable as a cable tie (26) after the retaining clip (10) has been mounted on the body part (6).
 23. The retaining clip according to 10, wherein the tensioning element (14) is severable from the rest of the retaining clip (10) after the retaining clip (10) has been mounted.
 24. The retaining clip according to 10, wherein the tensioning element (14) remains on the retaining clip (10) after the retaining clip (10) has been mounted.
 25. The retaining clip according to 10, wherein the tensioning element (14) includes along its length alternating stop catch elements (27) and interconnecting webs (28), and wherein the stop catch elements (27) and interconnecting webs (28) are engageable with an opening (29) of the tensioning element (14). 